REACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
In its normal docked configuration, the USS Matrix achieves low-velocity attitude and
translational control through the use of eight main and six
auxiliary reaction control engines for fine adjustments. The Reaction Control System (RCS)
is designed primarily for sublight operations involving station keeping, drift-mode
three-axis stabilization, and space dock maneuvering.
Every space-going vessel and auxiliary craft utilizes Particle Beam Thrusters, otherwise
known as Ion Thrusters. In some cases, it is the
primary or secondary propulsion system. As such, it has an advantage over Impulse Drives
in that it is non-polluting - its "exhaust" being a coherent beam of negative
hydrogen ions. Thus, it can be used in a planetary atmosphere. Even Class I Starships,
which use Warp Drive and Impulse Drives for their primary and secondary propulsion
systems, utilize Particle Beam Thrusters as a tertiary propulsion system for low-speed
work. These are usually mounted under the hull, with the emission ports showing in small
niches facing to bow and stern.
In addition precision maneuvering uses smaller thrusters deployed in clusters known as
Maneuvering Thruster Packages. A vessel may have up to 20 of these Packages, located at
various essential locations of the hull. Each Package will consist of two or three small
Thrusters - the section of hull protecting them painted a warning shade of orange. These
Maneuvering Thrusters are completely computer controlled, firing particular Thrusters in
five-second pulses in order to orient the ship as indicated by the Ops position.
The principle is simple. A nearby hydrogen tank feeds hydrogen atoms into an Ionizing
Chamber. Here, a Bevatron bombards the atoms with alpha particles (electrons traveling at
lightspeed), which link to them, and transfer them into negative hydrogen ions. These ions
are accelerated
further by travailing first through a Radio-Frequency Quintuple Accelerator (which raises
their energy state through photon bombardment) and then a Magnetic Straightaway (which
aims them precisely). Finally, the ions emerge at lightspeed from the Emission Port.
The ionized nature of the exhaust lends itself to tracing by a ship's sensors. This is
useful, as it eases the task of rescuing lost or distressed small craft. However, it
can be a nuisance - or even a hazard - under certain circumstances. As an example, ionized
emissions are highly hazardous to a craft traveling through a nebula or ion storm. In
addition, ionized emissions can cause unexpected and dangerous compounds to be created
spontaneously in a planetary atmosphere. Finally, a traceable ionized trail is undesirable
to an auxiliary craft engaged in surveillance
or espionage work. For these situations, all auxiliary craft have a final feature on their
Thrusters, right at the Emission Port. This feature is of
an optional nature, functioning only when activated. Called the Beam Neutralizer, it
strips the extra electron from the hydrogen ions as they fly by at lightspeed. Only
slightly slowed by this process, the neutral hydrogen atoms continue outwards. This slight
loss of efficiency caused by the Beam Neutralizer prevents it from being a permanent
feature on all Thrusters.
The RCS is divided into two parts corresponding to the two sections of the total starship.
The Saucer Module RCS consists of four main and four auxiliary engines located on the hull
edge; the four remaining main engines and ten venier thrusters make up the aft section RCS
and are located outboard of the main carrier bays. In the docked configuration, both
systems are cross-commanded by the main computer propulsion controller (MCPC) to provide
the required guidance and navigation inputs. Each main RCS engine consists of a gas-fusion
reaction chamber, a
Magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) energy field trap, and upper and lower vectored-thrust exhaust
nozzles. Deuterium fuel for each fusion chamber is stored in six immediate-use
supply tanks and tied to replenish lines from the main deuterium tank group in the
engineering section. Fuel transfer is managed by three redundant sets of
magnetic-peristaltic pumps, pressure regulators, and distribution nodes. Ignition energy
for the reaction chamber is provided by a step-up plasma compression generator, and
supplied through a standard capacitance tap by the ship's power distribution net. The
reaction chamber measures 3.1 meters n diameter end is constructed of hafnium carbide 0.2
meters thick, with a 0.21 cm replaceable inner wall of duranium tritanide. It can
withstand a total of 400,000 firings and 5,500 hours' operating time before requiring
inner wall servicing.
A two-stage MHD field trap lies downstream from the fusion chamber. The first stage acts
as an energy recovery device and returns some of the
undifferentiated plasma to the power net. The second stage performs partial throttle
operations, in concert with fuel flow regulators, to control the
exhaust products as they enter the thrust nozzle. Both stages are manufactured as a single
unit 4 X 2 X 2 meters and are constructed of tungsten bormanite. The plasma return
channels are rated at 6,750 hours before the inlets must be replaced.
The vectored nozzles direct the exhaust products at the proper angle for the desired force
on the ship's spaceframe. Each nozzle assembly produces a maximum of 3 million Newton's
thrust with one nozzle active, and 5.5 million Newton's with both nozzles active.
Kreigerium plate valves regulate the relative proportions of exhaust products flowing
through the upper and lower nozzle components.
Each auxiliary engine consists of a microfusion chamber and vectored-thrust nozzle, but
without the MHD trap. The microfusion chamber measures 1.5 meters in diameter and is
constructed of hafnium duranide 8.5 cm thick. Each auxiliary engine channels its exhaust
products through the main RCS nozzle and can generate a total thrust of 450,000 Newton's.
The auxiliary engines are rated for 4,500 hours' cumulative firing time before servicing.
Also incorporated into the RCS quads are precision mooring beam
tractor emitters used for close-quarters and docking maneuvers when Starbase-equivalent
mooring beams are not available.
Author - Lt.Cmdr. Wayne N Snyder
Date - 9810.15
Bibliography –
Star Trek TNG Technical Manual – by R. Sternbach and M. Okuda